002:230

The Holy Qor-aan                                                                                                                   002:230

اَلطَّلَاقُ مَرَّتٰنِ‌ –  فَاِمۡسَاكٌ ۢ بِمَعۡرُوۡفٍ اَوۡ تَسۡرِيۡحٌ ۢ بِاِحۡسَانٍ‌ ؕ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَـکُمۡ اَنۡ تَاۡخُذُوۡا مِمَّآ اٰتَيۡتُمُوۡهُنَّ شَيۡـــًٔا اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ يَّخَافَآ اَ لَّا يُقِيۡمَا حُدُوۡدَ اللّٰهِ‌ؕ فَاِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ اَ لَّا يُقِيۡمَا حُدُوۡدَ اللّٰهِۙ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِمَا فِيۡمَا افۡتَدَتۡ بِهٖؕ‌  تِلۡكَ حُدُوۡدُ اللّٰهِ فَلَا تَعۡتَدُوۡهَا ‌ۚ‌  وَمَنۡ يَّتَعَدَّ حُدُوۡدَ اللّٰهِ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ

Ut-ta-laa-qo-mur-ra-taa-nay.                                                                                                             Fa-im-saa-koon-bay-mau-roo-fin-auo-tus-ree-hoon-bay-aih-saa-n.                                        Wa-la-ya-hil-lo-la-koom-un-tau-kho-zoo                                                                                Mim-maa-aa-tai-to-moo-hoon-na-shai-un-il-laa-un                                                                Ya-khaa-faa-ul-la-yo-qee-maa-ho-do-dul-laa-h.                                                                           Fa-in-khif-toom-ul-la-yo-qee-maa-ho-do-dool-laa-hay                                                              Fa-laa-jo-naa-ha-alai-hay-maa                                                                                                       Fee-muf-ta-dut-bay-he.                                                                                                                         Til-ka-ho-do-dool-laa-hay-fa-laa-tau-ta-do-haa.                                                                      Wa-mun-ya-ta-ud-da-ho-do-dul-laa-hay                                                                                     Fa-olaa-aiy-ka-ho-mooz-zaa-lay-moo-n.

The divorce is pronouncing it twice.                                                                                     Then a retention with grace or release with kindness.                                                And it is not lawful for you that you take back                                                                Out of what you gave them except that                                                                          They both fear that they can’t observe the limits of Allah.                                            And if you fear that they can’t observe the limits of Allah                                        Then there is no sin on them both                                                                                         In regard to with what she gives up for getting out of that marriage.                   These are the boundaries of Allah; so do not cross the line.                                      And whoever crosses the lines of Allah                                                                      Then they all are the wrongdoers.

• اَلطَّلَاقُ — Ut-ta-laa-qo — The divorce (= n., The act of bringing an end to a marriage.   Here this refers to the interim, pending or revocable divorce since it is retractable by the parties.   A must read with this section is the Note 002:228)
• مَرَّتٰنِ‌ — Mur-ra-taa-nay — Twice   **   (= We provide simple straightforward translation and avoid additions like ‘must’, ‘may’ and ‘can‘ and conflicts that arise from them.   But there are translations saying that a divorce must be pronounced twice.    Others state that a “Divorce may be pronounced twice” [Malik Ghulam  Farid]. There is also the view that “Revocable divorce can only be pronounced twice” [M Zafrulla Khan])
• فَ — Fa — Then (= Consequently; as a result; so; thus; therefore; yet)
• اِمۡسَاكٌ — Im-saa-koon — Retention (= n., Hold or stay together; keep at home in good spirit or  fellowship; reconciliation in an approved form)
• بِ — Bay — With (= The Arabic word  بِ  literally means ‘with’ in English)
• مَعۡرُوۡفٍ — Mau-roo-fin — Grace (= With grace and honor.  In decency, equity, justice or kindness. On equitable terms. Appropriately; decently; equitably; fairly; honorably; lawfully; nicely; properly; reasonably;   righteously; suitably.  According to the custom and usage.   In a fair, just, appropriate, approved,    becoming, befitting, customary, equitable, reasonable proper or suitable basis, fashion, manner, method, way or form.  As a gesture of kindness)
• اَوۡ — Auo — Or (= Alternatively; in substitution)
• تَسۡرِيۡحٌ — Tus-ree-hoon — Release (= n., Allowing to go; bidding farewell; letting go; letting leave; parting; separating; sending off. Final separation)
• بِ — Bay — With (= The Arabic word  بِ  literally means ‘with’ in English)
• اِحۡسَانٍ — Aih-saa-n — Kindness (= Beneficence. Handsomely. In a generous, good and handsome manner.   With generosity, goodness and gratitude.   The word in a different context also means “A better pay-off than the out-lay’)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses.  See وَ above)
• لَا — Laa — Not (= Absolute denial; never; not at all; total negation)
• يَحِلُّ — Ya-hil-lo — Is lawful (= v., pres. s., m., 3^rd person. Is legal, acceptable, appropriate,  justifiable, kosher, permissible or proper)
• لَ  — La — For (= For or with intent to give or take attention, benefit, object, purpose or reason)
• كُمۡ — Koom — You (= pro., pl., m., 2^nd person.  You.  The Holy Qor-aan states this way when addressing both men and women jointly)
• اَنۡ — Un — That (= Since; so that; for the purpose)
• تَاۡخُذُوۡا — Tau-kho-zoo — Take back (= Seize. Recover. Withdraw.  Refers to taking back forcibly or menacingly any part of the dowry or gifts given to wife)
• مِمَّا — Mim-maa — Out of what (= Combination of two words. The first word  مِنۡ (min)  means among, from or out of the class, category, kind count or several persons or things. The second word  مَاۤ (maa) means all that, what or whatever. See 002:203)  
• اٰتَيۡتُمُوۡ — Aa-tay-to-moo — You gave (= v., past., pl., 2^nd person. Awarded; bestowed; blessed; come up with; conferred; delivered; donated; entrusted; gave; gifted; granted; handed down; paid; presented. Also, displayed, reimbursed or showed – The previous word extends this command to all that a husband gave his wife, but some translations have limited it to just the “Mahr (bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage)” [Dr Al-Hilali & Dr Khan]
• هُنَّ — Hoon-na — Them (= pl, f, in 3rd person. Refers to aforesaid women)
• شَيۡـًٔ۬ا — Shai-aa — Anything (= Smallest part of any article, item, object, material, matter, thing, phenomenon or stuff; to the least extent)
• اِلَّا — Il-laa — Except (= Apart from; but; besides; excluding; save; unless)
• اَنۡ — Un — That (= Since; so that; for the purpose)
• يَّخَافَآ — Ya-khaa-faa — Both fear (= Afraid; suspect)
• اَلَّا — Ul-laa — Can’t (= Combination of two word.  اَنۡ  (un) means ‘that.’   لَا (laa)   means ‘never, no, not at all’)
• يُقِيۡمَا — Yo-qee-maa — Establish (= 1. Abide by; observe; remain within.  2. The word in connection with a prayer also means fully complying with the dictates of prayer to establish it with regularity)
• حُدُوۡدَ — Ho-doo-d(ul) — Limits (= n., pl., Bounds, boundaries or outer perimeters placed; injunctions or prohibitions prescribed.   The importance of this term is clear from the fact that it has been used six times in this and the next verse)
• اللّٰهِ — Laa-hay — Allah (= The Almighty God; The only One worthy of worship)
• فَ — Fa — Then (= Consequently; as a result; so; thus; therefore; yet)
• اِنۡ — In — If (= If situation arises; in case; under the circumstances)
• خِفۡ — Khif — Fear (= v., pres., 2^nd person. Apprehend; suspect. Are afraid, scared or exposed to conditions beyond control such as a calamity, danger, disaster, disorder, disturbance, enemy, flood, law and order situation, mischief or war)
• تُمۡ — Toom — You (= pro., pl., m., 2^nd person.   You.   The Holy Qor-aan states this way when addressing both men and women jointly.   Some translations gave this right to only the ‘judges’ such as extrapolated by Allamah Nooruddin is “and if you (the Muslim community.)”
• اَلَّا — Ul-laa — Can’t (= Combination of two word.  اَنۡ (un) means ‘that.’   لَا (laa) means ‘never, no, not at all.’)
• يُقِيۡمَا — Yo-qee-maa — Establish (= Observe; fully comply with the dictates of prayer;  establish with regularity)
• حُدُوۡدَ — Ho-doo-d(ul) — Limits (= n., pl., Bounds, boundaries.  See حُدُوۡدَ above)
• اللّٰهِ —  Laa-hay — Allah (= The Almighty God; The only One worthy of worship)
• فَ  — Fa — Then (= Consequently; as a result; so; thus; therefore; yet)
•  لَا — Laa — It is not (= Absolute denial; never; not at all; total negation)
• جُنَاحَ — Jo-naa-ha — Sin (= Blame; inappropriate conduct; crime; illegal; misdeed;  harm; offense; wrong; violation of a Prohibition)
• عَلَيۡ — Alai — Upon (= Blame, duty or responsibility against; for; on; over; to)
• هِمَا — Hay-maa — Those two (= pro., pl., m., 3^rd person. Refers to the divorcing couple)
• فِىۡ — Fee — In (= Concerning; in reference, regarding; relative to)
• مَاۤ — Ma…(uf) — All that (= 1. What; whatever; whatsoever.  2. Any time; at such  time; when; whenever. 3. Absolutely not; no; never)
• افۡتَدَتۡ — Uf-ta-dut — She gives up (= v., Compensates to gain or redeem her release from the marriage; expiates; settles; surrenders in compromise.  The term Khula is used for such release or redemption.  A must read with this section is the Note 002:228.   Some translations have inappropriately used words like ‘pay’ ‘ransom to gain her freedom’ as if she were a slave)
• بِ — Bay — With (= The Arabic word  بِ  literally means ‘with’ in English
• هٖ — He — That (= pro., s., m., 3^rd person. Refers to aforesaid)
• تِلۡكَ — Til-ka — These are (= All the mentioned, stated or told
• حُدُوۡدُ — Ho-doo-d(ol) — Limits (= n., pl., Bounds, boundaries.  See حُدُوۡدَ above)
• اللّٰهِ — Laa-hay — Allah (= The Almighty God; The only One worthy of worship)
• فَ — Fa — Then (= Consequently; as a result; so; thus; therefore; yet)
•  لَا — Laa — Do not (= Absolute denial; never; not at all; total negation)
• تَعۡتَدُو — Tau-ta-do — You cross the line (= v., pres., pl., 2^nd person. Cause corruption; commit excess; cross or exceed the limit; cross over decency; mess up; spoil; ruin; transgress; take undue advantage. Also, annoy, damage, dishonor, disrespect, harass, harm, hurt, humiliate, injure, maltreat, or in any way cause or inflict any loss)
• هَا — Haa –That (= pro., s., f., 3^rd person., Refers to the limits of Allah)
• وَ — Wa — And (= Conj., links words, phrases or clauses.  See وَ above)
• مَنۡ — Mun — Whoever (= Anyone; who; whom; whomever; whoso)
• يَّتَعَدَّ — Ya-ta-ud-da — Crosses the line (= v., pres., s., 3^rd person. Exceeds limit; goes beyond; transgresses. See تَعۡتَدُو above and the Commentary Commentary titled as The Holy Qor-aan is no joke)
• حُدُوۡدَ — Ho-doo-d(ul) — Lines (= n., pl., Bounds, boundaries; limits. See حُدُوۡدَ above)
• اللّٰهِ — Laa-hay — Allah (= The Almighty God; The only One worthy of worship)
• فَ — Fa — Then (= Consequently; as a result; so; thus; therefore; yet)
• اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ — Olaa-aiy-ka — They all (= Aforesaid facts, persons or things)
• هُمُ — Ho-mo..(oz) — They (= pro., pl., m., 3 ^rd person. Refers to aforesaid persons)
• ظٰلِمُوۡنَ — Zaa-lay-moo-n — Wrong-doers  (= n., pl., Doers of harm, hurt or injury; criminals; unfair; culprits; evil-doers; polytheists; those committing evil or grievous wrong; those who do and practice the evil; transgressors; unjust; violators; wicked)

* Note 002:230.   The verse 002:230 covers the divorce that has been pronounced twice, is an interim measure and allows the spouses to reconcile and get together.    002:231 covers the divorce that has been pronounced for the third time, is final and irrevocable and he can’t have her back until she has married another man and is divorced by him too.    Both these verses must be read together because they spell out a punishment for both parties as it takes two hands to clap.

M Muhammad Ali wrote that the ‘Divorce may be (pronounced) twice.”    Really all three (both the first and second interim stages as well as the third final) divorce have to be pronounced candidly, clearly and openly.    The end of a marriage by pronouncing its multiple divorces is just like the beginning of the marriage which is announced publicly in the presence of a minimum of two witnesses and usually a congregation of both the families of bride and the groom.

This verse reflects the role of the society in the personal matter of the divorce of a couple.   The condition that they observe the limits of Allah has been repeated twice in quick succession.    The first time it controls the actions of a husband in taking back anything he had given his wife.    The second time it is imposed on the society to ensure that the parting couple observe said limits.    A divorce affects couple’s children, if any, the families they come from and the society at large.     Such matters usually grow into disputes which clog judicial systems and need someone to judge.    That is why the duty to observe the limits imposed by Allah is so important and clearly laid twice.    It is laid on the parting couple as them and on who maintains law and order in the society as you.    The condition is repeated for a third time in the next verse 002:231 if the spouses reunite again.   Repeating to observe the limits of Allah three times shows how imperative this Command is.

Following portion of the Note 002:228 merits attention.

If only man was given the power to divorce his wife, then the verb عَزَم  (aa-za-ma = he decided) intended for a single man would have been used.    Instead the verb used here is عَزَمُوا  (aa-za-moo = they decided) which is intended for more than one persons and has thus vested in both the spouses the power to dissolve their marriage.    Yet most translations have disregarded this vital rule of equality expressed with grammatical precision.    The exception is some works that have done a tiny token favor to women as if by way of charity.

Few can say exactly when the concept to divorce a wife by the unilateral act of a husband started.     But today many translations present wife not as a participant in a contract of marriage with equal rights but like a slave chained in the yoke of slavery struggling to regain her freedom.

The bias in the divorce proceedings — misstating the facts and misrepresenting Islam — is clearly shown in the following translations of this verse 002:230.

• “There is no blame on either of them if she give something for her freedom” — [A Yusuf Ali]
• “It shall be no sin for either of them in what she gives to get her freedom” — Maulwi Sher Ali].
• “There is no blame on either of them if she gives something to redeem her freedom“– [Ahmad Zidan]
• “There is no blame on them for what she gives up to become free thereby’ — [Maulana Muhammad Ali]
• “There is no blame on either of them in what she givens up to redeem herself” — Allamah Nooruddin who later on negated the above quote and extrapolated the verse 002:233 in an excellent manner by stating that “When they have agreed between themselves to an equitable and decent contract.”
• “It is no sin for either of them if the woman ransom herself” — [M Pickthall]
• “It shall be no offence for either of them if the wife ransom herself” — [N J Dawood].